Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg has revealed he was offered between $7 and $9 million to transfer to Kentucky, a stunning figure in the college sports era. Despite the lucrative deal, he chose to stay with the Wolverines under head coach Dusty May.

Lendeborg cited a lack of financial talk from May as a key reason. "He didn't talk about money at all. It was all about making me better," he said.

The 2025-26 season has seen Lendeborg average 14.4 points and 7 rebounds per game. Michigan earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Midwest Region, while Kentucky holds the No. 7 seed.

Kentucky’s performance this season-21-13 record-has drawn scrutiny, particularly amid reports of $22 million in NIL spending.